Window structure



Aug. 23, E949. A. D. cARANl WINDOW STRUCTURE 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 30, 1948 Aug. 23, 1949. A. D.. CARANI 2,479,602

wINDow STRUCTURE Filed July 50, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 22 26 ffl 30 38 M se 28 y WZL Af f l lo D. Garuni INVENTOR.

BY@ @am Filed July 50' 1948 A. D. CARANI WINDOW STRUCTURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig@ .5 Ml 2P Fig l? A. D. cARANl 2,479,602

WINDOW STRUCTURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig@ 42 AHH/o D. Gara/1i myn/rox.

Patented Aug. 23, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFF WINDOW STRUCTURE Attilio D. Carani, Miami, Fla. Application July 3o, 194s, serial No. 41,440 f (c1. zo-ss) 7 Claims.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a window structure including a plurality of hinged windows and means for simultaneously locking said windows during the closing thereof.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a window structure including a plurality of hinged windows and a plurality of actuating bars which are lowered to adjustably open the, windows, and novel and improved retaining means for holding said actuating bars in a se- ,lected lowered position.

Another feature of the present invention is to providea window structure comprising a plurality of hinged windows including an upper window, and embodying means for simultaneously raising all of said windows to a selected open position or for opening said upper window independently of the remaining windows.

Another feature of the present invention is vto provide a window structure including a plurality of hinged windows one of which is an upper window, a lower actuating bar connected to all of said windows except the upper window, an upper actuating bar connected to only said upper window, and novel and improved means detachably securing the upper actuating bar to the lower actuating bar whereby all of said windows may be raised simultaneously or said upper window may be raised when said remaining windows are closed.

Another important feature of the present invention is to provide a window structure including a plurality of windows and window raising mechanism, and novel and improved locking means associated with said raising mechanism and manually operable for retaining the windows in a selected raised and open position.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a window structure of the aforementioned character that is small and compact in structure and which is quickly and readily applied to or removed from a window frame or opening in a convenient manner.

A still further aim of the present invention is to provide a window structure that is simple and practical in construction, strong and reliable in use, neat and attractive in appearance, emcient and durable in use, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and otherwise well adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary, longitudinal vertical sectional view of the present window structure and showing the windows in a closed and locked position;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary, longitudinal vertical sectional view of the present window structure taken in the opposite direction from Figure 1, and showing the windows closed;

, Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1, and showing all windows in an open position; Figure 4 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the present window structure, and showing the windows closed and locked;

Figure 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the plane of section line '5--5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the plane of section line 6--6 of Figure 4;

Figure '7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, elevational view showing the manner in which the actuating bars are detachably secured to each other and the means for raising and lockingthe windows;

Figure 8 is a side elevational viewzof Figure 'l taken substantially inthe direction of arrow numbered 8, and with parts broken away and shown in section;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 and showing the upper actuating bar disengaged from the lower actuating bar;

Figure 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on the plane of broken section line Ill-I of Figure 1; and,

Figure 11 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the plane of section line lI-II of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein for the purpose of illustration there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the numeral l0 represents a substantially rectangular window frame including a pair of spaced, parallel, substantially vertical side members l2 amatori and I8 which are suitably anchored or fixed to the sides of a window frame or casing I6.

The numeral I8 represents a plurality of vertically spaced windows generally, including an upper window 28. Secured by rivets, fasteners or the like 22, to the upper rails 24 of the windows I8 and 28 adjacent each end thereof, are angle members or plates 26 having reduced leg portions 28 which are spaced relative to the side members I2 and I4. Pivot pins 38 extend through the leg portions 28 of the angle members 26 and into -the side members I2 and I8 for pivotal or hinge movement of the windows I8 and 28 relative to the side members I2 and I8.

An elongated, upper actuating member or bar 32 is pivoted and slidably secured at its upper end to a pin, rivet or the like 34 to the reduced leg portion 28 of the angle member 26 for the upper window 28, and longitudinally spaced pivot pins 36 secure a lower actuating member or bar 38 to the leg portions 28 of the angle members 26 for the remaining windows I8.

The upper actuating bar or section 32 is off-set, as at 48, to provide a lower portion 42 that is spaced parallel to the upper portion of the lower actuating bar 38 and a split, substantially rectangular guide 44 is secured to the upper portion of the actuating bar 38 and slidably receives the lower portion 42 of the upper actuating bar 32.

Slidably secured to one face of the lower actuating bar or section 38 by bolts or the like 46, is a further lower actuating bar or section 48. The bolts 46 vare slidably received in longitudinally spaced, counter-sunken slots 58 provided in the further actuating bar 48, as shown best in Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings, to permit longitudinal sliding movement of the further actuating bar 48 relative to the actuating bar 38'.

A resilient member or coil spring 52 is anchored at its end portions to the lower terminals of the bars 38 and 48 to norm-ally urge the bar 38 downwardly with respect to the bar 48 and the fasteners 46 in the lower portions of the slots 58.

Pivoted as at 54-to the side member I2, vis one end of an operating lever 56, the central portion of which is pivoted to the lower terminal of a pressure plate or strap 58. The upper end of the plate 58 is formed with a longitudinal slot 68 that slidably receives a holding pin 62 removably carried by the lower portion 42 of the upper actuating bar 32. This pin 62 normally engages an opening 64 formed in the upper portion Aof the bar 38 that projects upwardly from the iupper Secured by any suitable means to side rails 'I8 of all of the windows I8 and 28, is the angulated end 72 of a hook member 'I8 having a cam surface 78.

The longer legs I8 of a plurality of substantially L-sha-ped members 88 are pivoted to the Iupper actuating bar 32 and the lower actuating bar 88 and the shorter legs of the L-shaped members 88 areadapted for locking engagement with the hook members i8,

Suitable stops 82 are carried by the long legs 'I8 of the L-shaped members 80 and limit the' upward pivotal movement of the L-shaped members 88 relative to the bar 88.

Coil springs 68 connect the legs 18 of the L-shaped members 88 to the bar 48 and normally urge the L-shaped members to a horizontal position or in a position perpendicular to the bar 88.

When the windows I8 and 20 are pivoted to a closed position, the cam surfaces 'I6 bear against the shorter legs of the L-shaped members 88 to pivot the latter downwardly at which time the springs 84 will urge the L-shaped members 88 upwardly and the shorter legs thereof will be received by the hook members 'I4 (see Figure7).

As the lever 56 is forced downwardly, the lower edge thereof will bear against the upper end 66 of the bar 48 to move the latter with respect to the bar 38 sufciently to permit the L-shaped members 88 to disengage the hook members 'I4 before the windows are raised to an open position.

Attention is next directed to Figures 6 and 7, more particularly, wherein there is disclosed the means for locking the windows in a selected raised and open position.

An anchor plate 86 is removably secured' to the side memberA I2 and is formed with a plurality of arcuately spaced openings 88. A locking pin 98 is slidably carried by the lever 56 and includes a head portion having a sloping surface 92. A suitable spring 94 mounted on the lever 56 normally urges a portion of the pin 98 from the lever 56 into a selected one of the openings 88.

end 66 of the further actuating bar 48, see Figures 7, 8 and 9, so that the bars 32 and 38 will move simultaneously.

. The lower edge of the lever 56 normally bears against the upper edge 66 of the bar 48 so'that as the lever 56 is forced downwardly, all of the bars 32, 38 and 48 will move downwardly. there being a slight initial movement of the bar 48 relative to the bar 38 before all of the said bars move together.

In order to move only the upper bar 32, the lever 56 is moved outwardly relative to the side member I2 until the lower edge thereof clears the dog or lip 68 on lthe upper end 66 of the bar 48 and the pin 62 disengages the opening64. By then moving the lever 56 downwardly, the upper actuating bar 32 will move independently of the bars 38 and 48 to open only the upper window 28, as shown best in Figure 9 of the drawings.

Reference is next directed to the locking means for the windows I8 and 28 which is best illustrated in Figures 8 and 9.

Pivoted as at 96 to the reduced, free end portion 98 of the lever 56, is an angulated pressure plate |88 to which there is pivoted, as at |82, one end of slidable operating member |84 having a longitudinal slot |86 that receives the locking pin 98. Cams |88 are provided on the member |84, adjacent the slot |86, and bear against the sloping surface 92 of the pin 98.

When the pressure plate |88 is pushed downwardly, the member |84 will move toward the pin 98 and the cams |88 will force the pin 98 out of engagement with a-selected one of the openings 88 in the plate 86 whereby the bars 32,38 and 48 will be free to move upwardly and the windows I8 and 28 may be pivoted to a closed and locked position.

The Windows I8 each includes a substantially rectangular frame II 8 that supports a pane of glass or such other transparent or translucent material I I2 and the adjacent rails of adjacent windows I8 are oppositely rabbeted or notched as at II4 so that the lower portion of one window will engage the upper portion of an adjacent Window, see Figure 1, whereby the outer and inner faces of the engaged rails will be coplanar and the space between windows sealed to prevent rain, snow or the like from passing between the same.

The upper Window 28 is constructed slightly diierent than the windows I8 and includes an inner substantially rectangular frame II6 the upper wall of which is slightly reduced in width than the lower wall so that the same will form a liquid retaining means together with the pane IIB which bears against an inturned flange |20 at the inner end of the frame I I6.

The pane |I8 is held relative to the frame ||6 by putty or the like |22, and the frame |I8 is detachably secured to the frame of the upper window 26 by any suitable means, The lower rail of the frame for the upper window 20 is appropriately notched or rabbeted to engage the upper rabbeted rail of the window I8 adjacent the window 26, and a sealing plate |24 depending from the window frame I bears against and seals the space between the upper portion of the window 2|) and the top member for the frame Ill.

In order to cushion the closing movement of the windows I8 and 20, and to permit selective raising of the windows I8 and 20, there is provided a plurality of resilient members or coil springs |26 there being at least one for each window.

The' upper hook terminals |28 of the springs |26 engage a selected one of a plurality of apertures |36 provided in the legs 28 of the angle members 26 adjacent the side members I2 and I4, and the lower ends |32 of the springs |26 are adjustably secured to brackets |34 fixed to the side members I2 and i4 by bolts and nuts |36 (see Figures 1 and 2). It should be noted, that the resilient member for the window I8 adjacent the operating lever 56 is removed to prevent the same from restricting the pivotal movement of the lever 56.

A vertically disposed sealing strip |38 is xed to each side member I2 and I4 and seals the sides of the windows I8 and 20 when the latter are closed and locked, and the strips |38 are notched as at |40 to permit the pivotal movement of the members 26 and the legs 28 thereof.

In order to seal the openings or notches |46, longitudinal strips |42 are secured to the sides of the windows I8 and 20 and the free edges thereof bear against the side members I2 and I4 when the windows are pivoted to a closed position.

It should be noted, that the primary feature of the present invention is to provide a window structure wherein the windows may be quickly and readily opened to a predetermined position without effecting appreciable effort. Such being the case, the resilient members |26 normally align, vertically, the pivot pins 30 when the windows are closed. As the actuating bars are pressed downwardly, the weight of the actuating bars together with the weight of the inner portions of the brackets 26 and the spring members |26 are in perfect balance with the windows, and the portion of the brackets 26 mounted on the Window, and the windows will remain open at the position where the actuating bars are released.

The balance of the windows is such that when rain (or an external pressure upon the window) collects in the retaining frame ||6 of the upper window, the weight of the windows plus the rain (or external pressure on the upper window), overcomes the counter-balancing action of the members |26 and the actuating bars, and the windows will be urged to a lowered and closed position.

In order to lock the windows in a selected raised position, the pin 90 is engaged in a selected aperture 86 in the angle plate 86 whereupon it will be necessary to manually disengage the locking pin in order to eiect a closing of the windows.

Although there is' shown in the drawings a locking mechanism (14 and 80) for the upper window 20, it is apparent that when the pin 62 is engaged in the aperture 64, the lower windows being locked, it is not possible for the upper window to be opened from a position outwardly thereof. Therefore, the locking mechanism for the upper window is merely a safety precaution and need not be employed. However, when the window is raised independently of the lower windows, the pin 62 being disengaged from the opening 64, it is preferred that a locking mechanism for the upper window be used in order to assure an automatic locking action of the upper window.

As illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings, the central window is not provided with a resilient member |26 since the same is not necessary due to the adjustability and design of the resilient members for all of the windows. Brackets 26 are formed with a, plurality of apertures in order to accommodate the upper hook terminals of the spring members |26 so that in some instances, when the weight of the windows is extremely large due to the material used therefor, the resilient members |26 may be placed in order to obtain the proper counter-balancing action.

Due to' the adjustability of the pivot pins, fasteners or bolts, it is apparent that the windows may be adjusted between the side frames I2 and |4 in order to accommodate any swelling absorbtion of moisture eifecting the windows which are noramlly constructed of a fibrous material. l

In view of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings it is believed that a clear understanding of the device will be quite apparent to those skilled in this art. A more detailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however, that even though there is herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, the same is susceptible to certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described and the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A window structure comprising a frame, a plurality of wind-uws hinged to said frame for outward swinging movement relative to said frame and including an upper window and ay plurality of lower windows, upper and lower actuating bars slida'bly secured to said frame, means pivotally securing said upper actuating bar t0 said upper window, means pivotally securing said lower windows .to said lower actuating bar, a lever pivoted to said frame, means carried by one of said actuating bars securing said actuating bars together whereby said upper actuating bar may -be lowered independently of said lower actuating bar, means actuated by said lever for detaching the actuating bars from each other and forming a connection between said lever and said means securing said actuating bars togethencounterbalancing means forming a. connection between the windows and the frame and retaining said actuating bars in a selected lowered position, and liquid retaining means carried by said upper window for receiving a predetermined quantity of liquid, said counter-balancing means being responsive to an external pressure on said upper window from liquid disposed in said liquid retaining means for overcoming the counter-bal- Vreceiving said pin.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said means actuated by said lever for detaching the actuating bars from each other includes an elongated strap having upper and lower end portions,

the lower end portion of said strap being pivoted to said lever, the upper end portion of said strap receiving said means detachably securing said actuating bars together.

' 4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said counter-balancing means includes a plurality of coil springs having upper and lower ends, means securing the upper ends of said coil springs to said windows and a further means securing the lower ends of said coil springs to said frame.

5. A window structure comprising a frame, a plurality of windows hinged to said frame for outward swinging movement relative to the frame and including an upper window and a plurality of lower windows, upper and lower actuating bars slidably secured to said frame, means pivotally securing said upper actuating bar to said upper window, means pivotally securing said lower windows tc said lower actuating bar, a lever pivoted to said frame, means carried by one of said actuating bars for securing said actuating bars together whereby said upper actuating bar may be lowered independently of said lower actuating bar, means actuated by said lever for detaching the actuating bars from each other and forming a connection between said lever and said means securing said actuating bars together, counterbalancing means connecting the windows-to the frame and retaining said actuating bars in a selected lowered position, liquid retaining means carried -by said upper window for receiving a predetermined quantity of liquid, said counterbalancing means being responsive to an external pressure on said upper window from liquid disposed in said liquid retainingmeans for overcoming the counter-balancing action and urging all of said windows to a closed position, and complement-al locking members carried by said actuating bars and said windows for simultaneously locking vall of said windows during the lowering thereof.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein comple- 8 mental locking members include a rst plurality ot hooks carried by said windows, a second plurality of hooks pivoted on said actuating bars for downward swinging movement, means normally retaining said second plurality of hooks perpendicular to said actuating bars, cam surfaces on each of said first plurality of hooks for riding against and pivoting said second plurality of hooks downwardly during the closing of said windows whereby said second plurality of hooks will be urged to their normal position for locking engagement with said iirst plurality of hooks.

7. A window structure comprising a frame, a plurality of windows mounted on said frame for outward swinging movement and including an upper window and a group of lower windows, a plurality of angle brackets having first and second leg portions, the first leg portions of said angle brackets being fixed to said plurality of windows, pivot pins securing the second leg portions of said angle brackets to said frame, elongated spring members securing the second leg portions of said angle brackets to said frame, said spring members being in vertical alignment with said pivot pins when said plurality of windows are in a closed position, unitary acting actuating members slidably mounted on said frame and pivoted to the second legv portions of said angle brackets, a lever pivoted to the frame and connected to one of the actuating members for moving the actuating members to open said plurality of windows, the turning moment of the spring members being in balance with the turning moment of the windows about the pivot pins to retain the windows in a selected raised position,`

and a liquid receiving means carried by said upper window for receiving rain to overcome the balance betweenturning moment of the spring members and the turning moment of the windows about the pivot pins and thereby eiect a closing of the plurality of windows.

ATTILIO D. CARANI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent: i

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,609,219 Stowers Nov. 30, 1926 1,934,337 Swanson Nov. 7, 1933 1,959,941 Wiley May 22, 1934 2,252,634 Justason Aug. 12, 1941 

